Outcry over drought relief food at Omena
Residents of Omena village in the Oshikoto Region claim that they have not been receiving drought relief food since 2015 and they blame the Okankolo constituency office.
The villagers say they used to get drought relief food from the Okankolo constituency office but it stopped about two years ago and they were given no explanation.
Before the death of former Eengodi constituency councillor Walde Sheyavali in August, Omena used to be administered by the Okankolo constituency. It was only during the registration of voters for the by-election that it was uncovered the village actually falls under Eengodi constituency.
“The people in surrounding villages are receiving their drought food but we in Omena do not get it. We used to receive it back then but since early 2015, drought relief food stopped coming our way and we have been forced to rely on our mahangu fields,” villagers told Namibian Sun.
They are accusing the regional councillor for Okankolo constituency, Hans Hambodi, of stopping the supply of drought relief.
Hambodi denied the allegation. He said Omena village received drought relief on 23 February and 26 June this year.
Hambodi said his office had been instructed by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development that they should not supply services to Omena as it now falls under Eengodi constituency.
“The people you spoke to are not honest, as they have been receiving drought relief from my office and we only stopped when we received a directive from the line ministry,” Hambodi said.
According to newly elected Eengodi constituency councillor, Protasius Neshuku, his office has not publicly accepted Omena village as part of his constituency, which explains why he has not yet been informed about any complaints regarding drought relief.
Neshuku pointed out that there was no drought relief food at the constituency office at the moment anyway.
“Since I assumed my duties there has not been drought relief food in storage at Eengodi constituency office,” Neshuku said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
The villagers say they used to get drought relief food from the Okankolo constituency office but it stopped about two years ago and they were given no explanation.
Before the death of former Eengodi constituency councillor Walde Sheyavali in August, Omena used to be administered by the Okankolo constituency. It was only during the registration of voters for the by-election that it was uncovered the village actually falls under Eengodi constituency.
“The people in surrounding villages are receiving their drought food but we in Omena do not get it. We used to receive it back then but since early 2015, drought relief food stopped coming our way and we have been forced to rely on our mahangu fields,” villagers told Namibian Sun.
They are accusing the regional councillor for Okankolo constituency, Hans Hambodi, of stopping the supply of drought relief.
Hambodi denied the allegation. He said Omena village received drought relief on 23 February and 26 June this year.
Hambodi said his office had been instructed by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development that they should not supply services to Omena as it now falls under Eengodi constituency.
“The people you spoke to are not honest, as they have been receiving drought relief from my office and we only stopped when we received a directive from the line ministry,” Hambodi said.
According to newly elected Eengodi constituency councillor, Protasius Neshuku, his office has not publicly accepted Omena village as part of his constituency, which explains why he has not yet been informed about any complaints regarding drought relief.
Neshuku pointed out that there was no drought relief food at the constituency office at the moment anyway.
“Since I assumed my duties there has not been drought relief food in storage at Eengodi constituency office,” Neshuku said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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